2:55Sen. Thom Tillis uses the Senate subway at the Capitol Building, June 30, 2025. Republican leaders are striving to push President Donald Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act through Congress and onto his desk prior to the July 4 Independence Day holiday. Alex Wong/Getty Images
Republican Senator Thom Tillis has continued to resist Republican House leadership and President Donald Trump on Wednesday regarding the release of the Jeffrey Epstein documents.
The North Carolina Republican made a bold demand to "release the damn files" during his appearance at an Axios event.
"The commitment to release the files during the campaign was either exaggerated and we ended up with a nothing burger if the files are made public, or it’s something truly unsettling, which is actually an even stronger reason to disclose it," Tillis remarked.
Tillis forecasted that the Epstein files will remain a topic of discussion "up until next year's election" and asserted that making the files public would be the most effective way to move beyond it.
Sen. Thom Tillis takes the Senate subway at the Capitol Building, June 30, 2025. Republican leaders are pushing to get President Donald Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act through Congress and to his desk before the July 4 Independence Day holiday. Alex Wong/Getty Images
Later that day, Tillis told ABC News that he is earnest about the matter.
"I don't see what's unclear about my statement that we should release the files. I still uphold that position," he stated.
Tillis' comments on Wednesday arise as the Epstein files situation continues to stir controversy on Capitol Hill. On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced he would conclude the legislative session early ahead of Congress' August recess and postponed a committee vote on bipartisan legislation that would call for the release of the Epstein files.
The early departure of the House will not alleviate concerns, Tillis remarked.
"I believe the files should be disclosed, let the light in, let the sun shine through, and that's the best means to move past it," he stated at the Axios event.
"Otherwise, if anyone thinks this will vanish because the House adjourned a day early or something, it's going to be like those zombies in 'The Walking Dead': every time you believe you’ve eradicated it, another one will just come rushing out of the closet after you," he added.
House Speaker Mike Johnson awaits remarks by President Donald Trump as he hosts a dinner with Republican members of the U.S. Congress in the East Room of the White House in Washington, July 22, 2025. Kent Nishimura/Reuters
Tillis expressed to ABC News, "I believe the House should rejoin us to partake in the excitement."
Last week, Tillis conveyed a similar sentiment regarding the files, stating the administration ought to "just release it and confront it."
"Why don't we simply release it and address it? If it's embarrassing because it lacks substance, that's fine. If it's embarrassing because someone is implicated, that's fine. We just need to resolve it," Tillis told reporters at the Capitol last Thursday.
Johnson indicated he would like the files to be disclosed, but he did not wish to harm the victims.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
